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SBIR Phase I:ENVIRONMENT BENIGN HIGH RATE DEPOSTION OF ALLOY COATINGS FOR…

Award Information

Agency:
National Science Foundation 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
99025 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
1013481 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
AM6 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Ultool, LLC
1024 COVINGTON PL ALLISON PARK, PA 15101-1607
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: SBIR Phase I:ENVIRONMENT BENIGN HIGH RATE DEPOSTION OF ALLOY COATINGS FOR ELECTROLYTIC HARD CHROME REPLACEMENT
Agency: NSF
Contract: 1013481
Award Amount: $149,939.00
 

Abstract:

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a hybrid magnetron sputtering deposition process to apply alloy coatings on substrates as the replacement of electrolytic hard chrome (EHC) plating that utilizes hexavalent solution, a known carcinogen. Conventional magnetron sputtering is superior to other potential EHC replacement processes, such as electroless plating and high velocity oxygen fuel spray (HVOF) in terms of environmental impact, post machining, process temperature, adhesion to substrates, uniformity, and metallic luster. In this project, a hybrid process will be used to overcome the drawbacks of low deposition rate, limited ionization, low target utilization, and strictly line of sight deposition of traditional magnetron sputtering. Chromium coatings will be deposited in a batch coater using customized deposition hardware. It is anticipated that the resulted coatings can be applied not only to new parts for wear and corrosion protection, but also to worn parts for repair. The broader/commercial impact of this project will be the potential to replace EHC plating with an environmentally-benign, high deposition rate, and relatively low-cost hybrid magnetron sputtering process. The replacement will answer the urgent calls from federal agencies and international bodies to phase out EHC, eliminate carcinogenic mist exposure to plating shop operators, and provide current manufacturers an easy process for their critical hard coating needs. The expected outcomes of this project are process know-how and a proprietary coating system.

Principal Investigator:

Hanping Xu
PhD
4126078756
hanping.xu@ultool.com

Business Contact:

Hanping Xu
PhD
4126078756
hanping.xu@ultool.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Ultool
1024 Covington Place Allison Park, PA 15101

EIN/Tax ID: 262575101
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No